Page 51 of The Texas Hero's Homecoming

“Thank you.” He was charming and easy to talk to. She really liked him, but her world was in such upheaval now, she didn’t know how to react to him.

And then, there was Sam.

The man she didn’t want to think about right now.

“How about we venture through the maze together? I promise, I’m pretty good with directions, we won’t get lost.”

“Oh, right now?” She glanced at her wristwatch “Honestly. I’d love to, but there’s a dance in the barn tonight and I’ve got to get ready for that. It starts in about an hour.”

Jared chuckled in a self-deprecating way, which she found alarmingly sweet. “Okay, I won’t push. But how about I go into town for some dinner and come back in time for the dance? Would you promise to hold a dance for me?”

His dark eyes twinkled. It was hard to say no to him.

“Okay. Sure. I’d love to dance with you.”

He smiled and nodded. “Thank you. I look forward to it. C’mon, I’ll walk you back.”

And on the way, she spotted Sam speaking with Hersh and Jeffrey in front of the barn. She glanced away quickly, avoiding his gaze.

Two men were two men too many for her to deal with right now.

She had to get ready for the fall festival dance. The last of its kind.

And the pain of what would happen after tomorrow, suddenly sliced straight through her.

Chapter Seven

Autumn felt likea kid again, excited for the big Saturday night barn dance. Lanterns were strategically placed around the perimeter and overhead patio lights lit the big space, making it all come to life. Pumpkins were all about and scented candles filled the space with the aroma of cinnamon and apples. She had to hand it to the volunteer vets who’d taken it as their personal duty to clean up the place and make it shine.

“I’ve never seen the barn look better,” she said to her new group of friends: Nicole, Julie and Taylor.

They stood by the entrance taking it all in. Many of the festivalgoers had gone home to change and they were starting to arrive now. The girls all looked great, wearing long or mid-length dresses, their faces made up a bit and their hair down.

“Forget the barn,” Julie said. “I’ve never seenuslook better.”

They all chuckled.

“Seriously,” Julie said, looking Autumn over. “I love your dress, Autumn. It’s perfect on you.”

“Really? You think so.” It wasn’t anything special. She hadn’t been clothes shopping in forever, but the black floral dress she wore did have nice lines, a scoop neck, cinching in at her waist and then flaring out.

“Yes, I agree,” Nicole said. “You won’t have any trouble attracting dance partners.”

“As if I want any. But thank you.”

“Well, here comes a potential dance partner right now,” Taylor said, pointing behind her.

She swiveled around, greatly relieved it was her father. “Papa, look at you. You’re all dressed up.”

Her dad wore a pair of dark slacks, a white shirt and bolo tie, with a gem made of pure turquoise. He wore a hat too, and he looked like the patriarch of a ranch, so stately and grand.

“You look wonderful, Dad.”

All the girls agreed, and Papa’s face reddened. “Thank you. Now, I came to ask my daughter for a dance.” He put out his hand.

“I’d love to.”

Together they strolled to the dance area and the disc jockey who’d set up fifteen minutes ago, gave her dad a nod. The music began and Autumn recognized it immediately. It was her favorite, Leanne Womack’s, “I Hope You Dance.”

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